Geiger Sets Industry Yoga Record, Issues Humanitarian Challenge

Staff - September 6, 2018

Geiger set an industry record for the largest number of people participating in a single yoga session during the Lewiston, Maine-based distributor’s recent event. To kick off its 2019 business planning season, every employee participated in motivational workshops and nearly 100 employees participated in a single yoga session.

Geiger’s motivational workshop was led by Dan Nevins, military veteran, speaker and yoga teacher. Nevins challenged employees to make a positive change in their lives and in business. In turn, Geiger made a donation to Warrior Spirit Retreat, a place where wounded veterans learn to heal.

Nevins is a highly decorated veteran who lost both legs below the knee from an IED detonating below the vehicle he was riding in. He shared his transformational story with Geiger’s 400-plus associates in person and via live telecast. The day concluded with Geiger staff participating in the record-breaking yoga session.

“Dan challenged us to stretch longer and go further than we thought possible. We learned firsthand that we are stronger together,” says Jo-an Lantz, MAS, incoming Geiger president. “His personal struggles and outstanding achievements help to put other life and business challenges into true perspective. He taught us what we do makes a huge difference. It was an honor to have Dan play this important role as we plan for the future.”

Geiger has challenged Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI; Tim Andrews, president and CEO of ASI; Jim Hagen, CEO of SWEDA; and other industry business employees to participate in a yoga session and donate to warriorspiritretreat.org. Nevins serves as SWEDA’s Basecamp spokesperson.

Bellantone says, “PPAI and I applaud the Geiger leadership team and its hundreds of employees and sales partners for such an ambitious, record-breaking endeavor for a very worthy cause. We’ve witnessed our industry’s amazing philanthropic, humanitarian and awareness-building campaigns during Promotional Products Work! Week and throughout the years. Geiger’s long legacy of giving back to the industry and community—along with this newest feat—sets the bar for how companies can get engaged in these types of initiatives.”